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LYNDHURST, N.J.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--A national survey released today by Vitals found that, when it comes to
the type of relationship people have with their doctors, there are three
distinct patient personalities, each with their own unique set of
qualities.

The stakes for people finding satisfaction in their doctor-patient
relationship are high. Studies in the past have confirmed that patients
who trust their doctor are more likely to comply with medical advice and
prescribed regimes and, as a result, be healthier.

“A healthy doctor-patient relationship depends on finding a physician
who you trust and feel most comfortable with,” said Mitch Rothschild,
CEO of Vitals. “Your doctor should sync with your own personality. Each
person is unique and comes with different expectations for their
doctor-patient relationship and with how they manage their personal
health.”

Among some of the most astonishing findings, the study indicated that 56
percent of people spend several days researching the right doctor. The
top reasons people cited as grounds to “break up” with their doctor were
if the office stopped taking their insurance (40 percent), if they
disagreed with a diagnosis (21 percent) or if the practice moved to a
new location that was an extra 20 minute drive (17 percent).

There were also some stark differences in how men and women shopped for
doctors. Women were more likely to look at doctor reviews and change
doctors every few years. In contrast, nearly 60 percent of men said they
never switch physicians. And surprisingly, men had a stronger preference
for a physician of their own gender than women did. Seventy-four percent
of men said they prefer a male physician, whereas only 67 percent of
women said they prefer a woman doctor.

On the topic of gender, it was notable that the majority of adults aged
65+ preferred a male doctor (57 percent), but with adults under
25-years-old, the preferred gender is definitively female (63 percent).

The study revealed three specific archetypes for patients:

THE UBER

The Uber is the patient who self-advocates for herself and her family.
Finding the right doctor is a full-out search. They will whittle down a
list and then conduct interviews with physicians to find a favorite.
Yet, because The Uber values a doctor with the highest academic
credentials over those who they personally connect with, the
doctor-patient relationship is all business. This patient treats the
doctor as an employee, keeping them on speed dial. No medical issue is
too small to call. In fact, you wouldn’t want your appointment scheduled
after this patient. The Uber often comes prepared with a binder full of
concerns that they plan to discuss with the doctor.

THE OUTSOURCER

The Outsourcer is the patient that lets the doctor’s expertise shine.
They’re content to just follow doctor’s orders and recommendations – no
questions asked. Sure, others may describe The Outsourcer as a
non-alarmist, but he’s just busy with other things. They are more than
happy to let their Uber friends and relatives spend the time to do the
research, and then The Outsourcer can benefit from the results. They’re
most likely to have children and avoid social media networks. As a
result, they’re not likely to turn to online doctor reviews or do more
than one hour of research when it comes to looking for a new doctor. But
there’s not often the need: The Outsourcer is most likely to be happy
with their doctor-patient relationship.

Best TV Doctor Match:

THE NURTURER

The Nurturer is a social creature who tends to take things under review
with her network. These patients are more likely to rely on friends and
family for advice on doctor recommendations, as well as movie and
restaurant suggestions. Their doctor is a part of their extended
network. They feel most comfortable collaborating with a physician on a
diagnosis. While The Nurturer prefers to connect face-to-face with
peers, they are also more likely to check Facebook several times per day
to stay in the loop with their circle of friends and actively
participate on other social network sites like Pinterest and Google+.

METHODOLOGY

This survey was conducted online within the United States by Vitals from
Nov-Dec, 2013 and included results from 2,421 adults ages 18 and older.
This online survey is not based on a probability sample and therefore no
estimate of theoretical sampling error can be calculated.

ABOUT VITALS

Vitals aims to make better health possible. We are a leader in providing
online tools that enable healthcare consumers to make informed decisions
about both the quality and cost of their medical care. Through health
plans, hospitals and our leading consumer websites, Vitals helps more
than 150 million people each year access information for better, more
affordable care. The Vitals Index is an ongoing report about the state
of doctor-patient relationships based on proprietary data and surveys.